Brake



Oct. 26, 1926. 1,604,570 w E, HARDIN v BRAKE Filed Sept. 15. 1925 Patented @ct 26, 1925..

. Sifrill WLLAM ENLA HARDIN, 0F FORT 'WOR-TH, TEXAS.

BRAKE.

Application filed September 15, 1925. Serlal No. 56,555.

This invention relates to bralres, and more particularly to a brake operating mechanism for automobile bralres.

An important object of the invention is to provide a brake operating mechanism which is strong and durable, and positive in action.

A further object is to provide a devicel of the above mentioned character w ierein half the operating movement is transmitted to each end of a split brake band whereby the latter is clamped against opposite sides of the brake drum.

A further object is to provide a turnbuclrle having threaded portions at opposite ends, each of which is adapted to engage internal threads of a member cennected to one end of the brakeband, means being provided for rotating the turn-buckle from a foot pedal or other operating lever.

Other objects and advantages of the in ventien will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the. accompanying drawings, I have shown one embodiment of the invention. ln this showing: i

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan viewvof a portion of a motor vehicle showing the invention applied,

Figure 2 is an inside face view of a brake drum and associated elements,

Figure 3 is a sectionon line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4-fl of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a section yon line 5 5 of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is a detail perspective'of the upper end of the bracket and the spring associated therewith.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a rear axle housing ,of a motor vehicle in which is rotatably mounted the usual axle 11 adapted to drive a rear wheel 12. A brake drum 13 is secured to the axle housing in the usual manner. VIn the present instance, l have illustrated a radius rod 1-1 bolted, as at 15, against the inner face of the brake drum. The brake drum may be provided with the usual internal expanding brake (not shown) adapted to be operated by the usual lever 16.

The brake druin is adapted to be gripped by an external contracting fabric brake 17 secured to the usual supporting band 13. The band 18 is preferably formed of complementary sections 19, the lower ends of which are pivotally connected to the drum, as at 20. rihe upper ends of the band sections 19 are provided with upwardly extending lips 21 for a purpose to be described.

i Ears 22 are `arranged above 'the lips 21, as shown in Figure 3. Facil of these ears are shaped in cross section, shown in Figure 5 and ceniprises an upper elongated substantially cylindrical portion 23 and a depending ilat portion 241. rlhe flat portions 241 are provided in their lower ends with openingsto receive bolts 25 which pass through the lips 21. The cylindrical portions 22 0f the ears are arranged in alinement with each other, and each is internally screw-threaded, as at 2G. A turn-buckle, designated as a whole by the nun'ieral 27, is provided on opposite ends with threaded portions 2S arranged in the internally threaded portions of the ears and the threaded portions of the turn-buckle are oppositely pitched, as will be apparent. rihe central portion 29 of the turn-buckle is tinted, as shown in Figures 3 and fi, and is adapted to be supported in a bracket 30, carn ried by the brake drum. The bracket 30 is substantially U-shaped in cross section, and the opposite sides of the bracket are adapted to embrace the central portion of the turn-` buclrle near the ends thereof.

iff-,n operating lever 31 is adapted to actuate the turn-buckle. Y The member 31 is provided at its upper end with a split cylindrical portion 32 provided with a clamping screw 33. The cylindrical portion 32 is internally grooved to correspond to the flutes of the turn-buckle. rihe operating member 31 is provided with a depending portion 3d, which is offset fr in the turn-buckle, as shown in Figure il, and is provided in its lower end with an opening 35.

In the present instance, I have shown a tube 36 secured, as at 37, to the radius rod lei, and an operating cable 38 extends through this tube. The rear end of the cable 33 is secured in the opening 35, as shownin Figure 1, and the forward end of the cable is secured, as at 39, to one end of an equalizing member l0. A similar cable 4:1 is also connectedto the opposite end of the equalizing member and is adapted to be connected to a similar brake mechanism mounted on the other rear `wheel of the vehicle (not shown). Another cable l2 is connected at its rear end to the equalizing member lO'centrally thereof, and the forward end of the cable /12 is connected, as at 43, to a brake lll) pedal 44 or similar operating lever. VAny suitable spring means may be employed for normally maintaining the lever 44 in inoperative position and a spring 45 as shown in Fig. 6, may be connected between the bracket 30 and the operating member 3l to maintain the latter in neutral position.

In Figure 3 ot' the drawings, I have shown alternate methods formaintaining lubricant within the ears 22. Each ot the threaded portions Q8 is shorter than the ear in which it operates to provide a lubricant space 46 which may be closed by a cap 47. It desired, a grease cup 48 of the usual construction may be employed for supplying the lubricant.

The operation ot the device is as follows:

The spring 45 is adapted to maintain the operating member 3l in its normal or inoperative position, as shown in Figure l. lli/*hen in this position, the lever 3l will maintain the brake bands 17 out ot contact with the brake drum, thus preventing` any conA tracting action. Operation of the lever 44 is adapted to pull the cables 38 and 4l torwardly, and this action will rock each of the operating' members 3l to swing them inwardly away from the brake drums. rllhis action obviously will rotate eachot the turnbuclrles employed, thus moving the ears 22 inwardly and eltectually clamping the brake bands about the drums. It desired, the screw 33 may be lett sufficiently loose to pe mit a sliding action of the cylindrical pon tion 3:2, thus allowing the turn-buckle to sume any desired position to clamp opposite ends of the brake band equally against the brake drum. If it is 'found that the brake bands are accurately mounted, the screw 33 may be tightened. lVhen the pedal 44 is released, the spring 45 will return the operating member to normal position, thus releasing the brake bands from the drum.

It is to be understood that the form ot myV invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example ot' the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit ot the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. A device of the ch-aracter described comprising a brake band having adjacent relatively movable ends, members connected to said ends, and provided with alined oppositely threaded openings, a turn-buckle having oppositely threaded ends arranged in said openings, and an operating lever having a. portion surrounding a portion ot said turn-buckle, said lever being iixed against rotation with respect to said turn-buckle and slid able longitudinally thereon.

2. A device of the character described comprising a brake band having yadjacent relatively movable ends, members connected to said ends and provided with alined oppositely threaded openings, a turn-buckle having oppositely threaded ends arranged in said openings, means for rotatably supporting said turn-buckle, the central portion ot said turn-buckle being irregular in crosssection, a sleeve surrounding the central porw tion oi said turn-buckle, said sleeve correspondingl in shape to and being adapted to slide longitudinally on the central portion ot said turn-buckle, and a lever arm carried by said sleeve.

3. A device of the character described comprising a brake band having adjacent relatively movable ends, members connected to said ends, and provided with alined oppositely threaded openings, a turn-buckle having oppositely threaded ends arranged in said openings, the centr-al portion of said turn-buckle being other than round in cross section, a sleeve surrounding the central portion ot said turn-buckle and corresponding in shape thereto, and a lever arm carried by said sleeve.

4. Av device ot the character described comprising a brake drum, a brake band surroundingV said drum Yand having adjacent relatively movable mends, an ear pivotally connected to each end ot said band, said ears being provided with alined internally threaded cylindrical portions, a turn-buckle having oppositely threaded ends arranged in said threaded openings, the central portion of said turn-buckle being tluted, and an operating lever having a cylindrical portion surrounding the central portion of said turnbuckle, said cylindrical portion having an internal shape corresponding to the shape of the iiuted portion of said turn-buckle.

In testimony whereof, I atliX my signature.

WILLIAM ENLA HARDIN. 

